Speaking during last week's X Factor the judge said she sympathised with contestant Kayleigh Manners for coming from a tough area.

PICTURE: TULISA MAKES X FACTOR RETURN AT JUDGE'S HOUSES IN BERMUDA - CLICK TO SEE

The 39-year-old former Spice Girl told Kayleigh: "I grew up in Harehills."

Hopeful Kayleigh replied: "The place I grew up from gets quite a bad name. But Mel B was brought up in the same area so it makes you realise people from that place can still make it and get somewhere."

However Mel's mum Andrea has blasted her and accused her of lying about her upbringing.

She told the Mirror: "Melanie was brought up in Harehills? Well, that's news to us. It's always been Kirkstall, the other side of town."

READ: LOUIS WALSH ON TULISA'S DRUGS TRIAL – "IT WAS COMPLETE ENTRAPMENT, I HOPE HE GOES TO JAIL"

Mum-of-three Mel has been estranged from her family for years, and it seems they are not happy with Mel's 'lies'.

Her sister Danielle added: "That's what happens when you forget your roots. I might start saying I grew up in Buckingham Palace."

Mel fell out with her family following her and husband Stephen Belafonte's wedding blessing in 2008, after they were said to think that Stephen was taking Mel away from them.

The singer has yet to comment on her family's allegations.